Home » Internet » Blogging » Blogging Tips

How to Create an Effective Business Blog

Ranked #6,216 in Internet, #304,786 overall

Business Blogs

Business Blog might seem like just another new medium, but at their best, blogs re-defined the very nature of business communication. To an extent perhaps unmatched by any other medium, blogs can engage large, widely distributed audiences. In a sense, a blog combines the global reach and reference value of a conventional website with the conversational exchanges of e-mail or IM. The planning step is particularly important if you are considering starting a blog.

For creating an effective business blog you will have to pay close attention to the following important elements:

Audience

Defining your target audience can be a challenge. You want an audience large enough to justify the time you'll be investing, but narrow enough that you can provide an identifiable focus for the blog. For instance, if you work for a firm that develops computer games, would you focus your blog on "hardcore" players, the type who spend thousands of dollars on super fast PCs optimized for video games, or would you broaden the reach to include all video gamers? The decision often comes down to business strategy.

Purpose

Unlike a personal blog, in which you typically write whatever interests you, a business blog needs to have a business related purpose that is important to both the company and your chosen audience. Moreover, the purpose has to "have legs", meaning that it is something that can drive the blog's content for months or years, rather than focusing on a single event or issue of only temporary interest. For instance, if you are a technical expert, you might create a blog to give the audience tips and techniques for using your company's products more effectively - a business oriented and audience focused purpose that will always be of interest.

This would be the general purpose of your blog, and then each posting would have a specific purpose within the context of the general purpose. Finally, make sure that while you are writing a business blog you are in line with your business strategies.

Scope

BloggingAs with your audience, defining the scope of your blog can be a bit tricky. You are required to cover a subject area that is broad enough to offer discussion possibilities for months but focus identifiable at the same time. For example, GM's Fastlane blog is about GM cars only - not GM stock price, job opportunities, and so on. Moreover, the scope of your blog needs to remain fairly stable so that you can build an audience over time.

After you begin writing your blog, careful planning needs to continue with each post. Make sure the information you are outing online is appropriate for a public audience.

Write in a comfortable, personal style. Blog audience don't want to hear from the company but they want to hear from you. Bear in mind that writing comfortable does not mean being careless. Sloppy writing damages your credibility. In addition, while audiences expect you to be knowledgeable in the subject area your blog covers, you don't need to know everything about a topic. If you don't have all the information yourself, simply provide links to other blogs and websites that supply relevant information. In fact, many blog audiences consider carefully screened links to be an essential part of blogging.

In the last, evaluate the content and readability of your posts, proofread to correct any errors, and then post using your blogging system tools for doing so. If your blog doesn't already have one, be sure to include one or more newsfeed options so that your audience can automatically receive headlines of new blog posts.

Great Blogging Books on Amazon

Loading

Quick Checklist for Creating an Effective Business Blog

  • Have a clear plan before you start blogging:
    Without a clear plan your blog is likely to wander from topic to topic without providing compelling information or building a sense of community with your audience.
  • Post frequently
    The whole point of blog is fresh content; if you don't have a constant supply of new content or new links then create a traditional website instead.
  • Make it about your customers and the issues that are important to them
    Readers want to know how your blog will help them, entertain them, or give them a chance to communicate with others who have similar interests.
  • Write in an authentic voice; never create an artificial character who supposedly writes a blog
    Flogs or fake blogs, violate the spirit of blogging, show disrespect for your audience, and will turn audiences against you as soon as they uncover the truth.
  • Link generously but carefully
    Providing interesting links to other blogs and websites is a fundamental aspect of blogging, but think twice before putting these links in your blog. Make sure the links will be of value to the readers and make sure they don't point out to content which damages your reputation.
  • Keep your posts brief
    Most online readers don't have the patience to read lengthy reports.
  • Take time to write compelling, specific headlines for your postings
    Readers usually decide within couple of seconds whether to read your posting; boring and vague headlines will turn them away instantly.
  • Pay attention to spelling, grammar and mechanics
    No matter how smart or experienced you are, poor quality writing undermines your credibility.
  • Respond to criticism openly and honestly
    Hiding sends a message that you don't have a valid response to the criticism. If your critics are wrong, patiently explain to them why do you think that they are wrong. If they are right, then explain to them how will you fix the problem.
  • Listen your audience and try to learn from their comments
    If you don't take time to analyze the comments people leave on your blog or the bloggers make about you, you're missing out on one of the most valuable aspect of blogging.
  • Respect intellectual property
    Presenting the work of others as your own is not only unethical but also violates the copyright laws.
  • Be honest and careful with facts
    Honesty is an absolute requirement for almost every ethical business person, of course, but you need to be extra careful online because inaccuracies (both intentionally and unintentionally) are likely to be discovered quickly and shared widely.
  • Don't get engage in blatant product promotions
    Readers who think they are being advertised to will stop reading immediately.

What's your favourite Blogging Platform ?

You can also share your favorite Blogging platforms. If you use any blogging website other than those mentioned, do share it and let others know about it.

1

Vote Up
Vote Down

Blogger

Blogger, now is owned by Google, is a site where b more...1 point

2

Vote Up
Vote Down

Wordpress

A more flexible blogging platform than Blogger0 points

3

Vote Up
Vote Down

Tumblr

Tumblr is a micro-blogging platform0 points

4

Vote Up
Vote Down

TypePad

TypePad is the premier blogging service. Create a more...0 points

5

Vote Up
Vote Down

Movabletype

Movable Type is a weblog publishing system develop more...0 points

Elements of an Effective Business Blog to Drive Traffic, Engage Customers and Stay Organized

powered by Youtube

What do you think about Business Blogging?

  • momsfunny Jan 5, 2012 @ 3:52 pm | delete
    Awesome lens! I found it really useful and the ideas are really do able and really do make a lot of sense. Thank you for sharing.
  • KitandCaboodle Nov 30, 2011 @ 10:37 am | delete
    Great tips for blogging. I get tripped up with the frequent posting part. Which reminds me, I better get a post up today!
  • zwebhosting Jul 19, 2011 @ 11:56 am | delete
    You are really an awesome writer. Thanks for posting!
  • VoodooRULEs Jul 19, 2011 @ 11:52 am | delete
    Great Lens! Wonderful resource! Thank you!
  • Bellwood-Antiques Jul 18, 2011 @ 10:38 am | delete
    I truly like this site. Now all I have to do is put it to work for my self!!
  • Load More
Show All

Zazzle

Loading

by

Valeed

My name is Valeed and I'm a finance personnel having done BBA with a major in Finance trying to earn some money from online writing. Writing has been more... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags